I don't know if you've seen it or not, but here's "Gladys", my M1911/M1911A1 hybrid pistol with a nickel compensator. My dad gave it to me as is (minus the compensator, which I bought with $45 myself) so don't blame me for the condition. The 1911 is my favorite gun hands down, so I'll likely own more 1911s than anything else when I'm older.
Here it is fitted with a 16" barrel and a wooden stock.
I plan to build a custom 1911 sometime in the future using a Para-Ordnance P14 frame and some type of Colt slide (considering between something stainless for less maintainance or a National Match slide for better performance). Colt/Para = "Cara".